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May Extend Every-Other-Year Trip West To An Annual Event

Palm Springs already plays host to AOPA's annual summit every other year, and now there is talk of making the desert community the meeting's permanent home.

The online site mydesert.com reports that the association has made inquiries about holding its 2015 meeting at the Palm Springs Convention Center. This past year's convention was held there, and the 2014 event was already on the books. Convention Center executive director James Canfield told a resort and convention group last week that it is considering taking on the 2015 event at the request of the AOPA, but is also leaving the every-other-year option on the table.

AOPA said that one reason for considering Palm Springs as a permanent home is the proximity of the airport to the convention center, making the "Parade of Planes" possible. The association also gave the convention center high marks for satisfaction, according to the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. In a statement, AOPA director of outreach Andrea Berry said that Palm Springs offers advantages "that no other site does," including consistently good flying weather, walking access to the downtown area, and the proximity to the international airport.